The shadow chancellor has made the case for ‘deeper and broader’ economic devolution as Labour stressed the need for ‘more local powers’ over the economy.

In a speech to the Great Northern Conference in Manchester today, Rachel Reeves said: ‘We have been far too timid about economic devolution so, in the next Labour Government, [shadow communities secretary] Lisa Nandy and I will ensure that economic devolution is both deeper and broader.

'This will give communities more control over their future and enable them to contribute more to our country’s economic growth.’